Work begins to save Birmingham's historic Powell School

The historic Powell School was gutted by fire in 2011. (The Birmingham News/Tamika Moore)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation has signed a contract with a builder to put a new roof on the fire-ravaged Powell School, and work has begun, said Michael Calvert, a volunteer with the trust.

The 124-year-old building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was gutted by fire in January of last year. Proceeds of fire insurance are helping to cover the cost of the new roof, which is necessary to stabilize the building until further renovation work can begin.

"Without a roof the walls didn't have any lateral support and, obviously, the rain was getting in," said Calvert, who is former director of Operation New Birmingham.

Workers remove debris from the school. (Special)

Birmingham-based Stone Building Co. won the contract to replace the roof, and a crane began removing debris from inside the building on Tuesday.

Officials with the city and the trust, to which the city donated the property last year, hope to redevelop the building for commercial or residential use.